Chelsea FC: Enzo Maresca backs possession-based philosophy despite set-piece resurgence

Enzo Maresca insisted he will not abandon his tactical philosophy amid the rising popularity of set-pieces, but acknowledged Chelsea must get better at defending against them.

The Blues have conceded more shots from set-pieces than any team in the Premier League this season.

They conceded from another throw-in against Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, having also conceded from a long throw during their shock defeat to Sunderland last weekend.

Maresca admitted his side are working on defending long throw-ins ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Tottenham, who have utilised the set-piece tactic this season under head coach Thomas Frank.

“For sure, we are working (on defending long throw-ins). For sure,” Maresca said on Friday.

“I think that set-pieces, you are going to score goals and you are going to concede goals. When we concede we are not strong enough.

“I think set-pieces, there are teams that they score more goals, less goals, but at the end, with set-pieces you are going to score and concede goals because they are so difficult to defend.”

Last week, Maresca said he did not envisage his side using long throws to their advantage in the near future, and he remained adamant that he is not going to change his possession-based approach.

He continued: “Set pieces are part of the game. For sure, they are part of the game. You need to learn how you can do better offensively and defensively, but it’s a part of the game.

“If you score from a set play, a corner, how do you get the corner? From open play, no? It’s not a divide. Open play, defensive, offensive, it’s football.

“Set pieces are part of football. If you have a free kick on the edge of the box, or a corner, it’s because you created a situation to get corners or free kicks. That’s from open play. It’s all football.

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